Peacock (Aglais io)

Family: Nymphalidae Checklist: 59.026

 
Description
Wing span: 63-74 mm. The two large eyes on this butterfly's hind-wings give it its common name. The underside is almost black, providing perfect camouflage when the butterfly is at rest, or when hibernating. The sexes are similar. It is found throughtout the British Isles. Peacocks can be seen in a wide variety of habitats, but are most numerous in and around woods.
 
Images (click to enlarge)
Peacock ♂ © David Hastings
Peacock ♂ underside © David Hastings
Male Male underside Female Female underside
 
Life Cycle
The Peacock is single-brooded. Butterflies emerge from hibernation around the end of March. These give rise to the next generation that emerges in the second half of July. Second brood adults go into hibernation quite quickly, re-emerging in the spring and often surviving well into May.
 
Larval Foodplants
The main larval food plant is Common Nettle (Urtica dioica). Small Nettle (Urtica urens) is also used.
 
Nectar Sources
Buddleia is often used as a nectar source in gardens, and thistles and Hemp Agrimony in the countryside.
 
UK Conservation Status
Least Concern
 
Earliest UTB first sighting (since 2004) : 1st January
Mean UTB first sighting (since 2004) : 25th January
 
 
Distribution and Sites
 

Key
1 sighting 2-9 max seen 10+ max seen
This species is a habitat generalist, so can be found almost anywhere in the UTB region.

 
Related Species
All Species